Automation project targets more efficient pallet dispatch

Pictured (l-r): Christian Granlund, CEO, Vectura AS and Andy Blandford, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Dematic Northern Europe.

Dematic won the contract to supply an automated collation and sequencing solution to Vectura AS, Norway’s leading logistics company for alcoholic beverages. 

The new system will be an extension to the company’s automated pallet warehouse in Gjelleråsen, Norway, and will enable the business to process up to 75 pallets per hour and sequence up to 400 pallets at any one time – all within the existing footprint of the building.

As the first phase of a major project aimed at introducing higher levels of automation to the company’s order preparation and dispatch operation, the system will be installed on a new mezzanine floor above the dispatch area to make maximum use of space. 

Installation will be coordinated to avoid disruption to business, which sees 50 million units a year dispatched to government-owned Vinmonopolet stores, wholesalers and the hotel and catering industry. The project is due to go-live in summer 2020.

Andy Blandford, SVP & managing director, Dematic Northern Europe, says: “We are delighted to have been selected by Vectura for this important project, aimed at delivering greater productivity and throughput for their Gjelleråsen operation. We are confident that this is the start of a fruitful and long-term business relationship between Vectura and Dematic.”

Christian Granlund, CEO, Vectura AS, comments: “Our company believes in creating competitive advantage by investing in our value chain. This project will help future-proof our business by enabling us to provide the efficient and responsive service we are known for, as we grow.

"We have every confidence in Dematic’s ability to help us fulfill that objective and look forward to a close collaborative relationship.”